Providence Cable Buying Guide - Instrument Cables Edition

Recommending Providence

In recent years, many of our customers have asked us for recommendations for cables (shields) for musical instruments.

We have been guiding our customers to various cables according to their needs, such as CANARE, which has been a standard and popular cable for a long time, CLASSIC PRO, which focuses on maintaining low costs, and OYAIDE, which is a high-end representative of Providence.
Among such cables, one of the cables that I often recommend is Providence's cable.

In this issue, I would like to introduce why we recommend Providence cables and the features of each series. Although I won’t be able to compare all of them, I will introduce them based on the manufacturer's explanations!
This blog should help you decide which cable to buy next!
*Please understand that our endorsement of Providence does not mean that we don’t think other brands are just as good. This is just an introduction of Providence.

Contents

1. What is Providence? Why do we recommend it?
2. Features of each series
   1. ① LE501
   2. - High sound quality, low noise, good for line recording
   3. ② S101 “Studiowizard”
   4. - Super wide range & clear
   5. ③ Z102 “Livewizard”
   6. - Good grain & wide range
   7. ④ F201 “Fatman”
   8. - Emphasizes mid-low tones mainly in Mid-Low range
   9. ⑤ B202 “Bottomfreq’er”
   10. - For 4-6 string basses and down tuning
   11. ⑥ E205 “59ers”
   12. - Emphasizes midrange, mainly Mid-Hi
   13. ⑦ H207 “Heartbreaker”
   14. - Flat and natural sound
3. After this introduction

1. What is Providence?

“Providence is a company that manufactures plugs, cables, and assemblies that are individually handcrafted by skilled craftsmen in Japan. That is Providence Cable.”

The following is a quote from Providence's website, from the cable page.

I feel that their cables sound absolutely great. I will introduce one properly later, but I know they’re great.
I already know how wonderful Providence is, so introduce the cables already! Scroll down to the bottom of the page!

Providence is of good quality

When I say “good quality” here, I want you to focus not only on the sound, but also on the construction of the cables. As you can see by removing the plug section, the wiring section is very carefully constructed. This kind of clean processing really impresses us with its high quality.

Overwhelmingly Good Reliability

I don't think there is a musician or guitar/bass player in Japan who hasn’t heard of Providence. Many musicians use Providence cables not only for their sound and durability, but also for the good quality I mentioned in the first point, and many people around you may say, “I use Providence cables.”
Come to think of it, I have hardly ever heard a bad review of Providence cables in my life. Or rather, I haven't.
And speaking of Providence, this is the man. You should watch this video at least once.

It keeps “evolving”

In fact, the cable is being renewed in 2023. It seems to be evolving further with a partial revision of materials and manufacturing process.

In fact, the cable is being renewed in 2023. It seems to be evolving further with a partial revision of materials and manufacturing process.
In 2023, the Providence cable has been renewed*. For the renewal, I re-examined the raw materials used and the manufacturing process, which can be described as a series of craftsmanship, and reviewed some of them. All models, which are suitable for a variety of musical styles, are even more discreet than the previous models and transmit a clear sound that doesn’t get buried in ensembles. The shielded cable responds to the demands of today's players in today's ever-changing music environment.
*Excluding some models.

I know many of you are already eager to try Providence cables.
Sorry for the long explanation because of my enthusiasm. Thank you for your patience. Here are the features of each series.

2. Features of each series

Now, let me introduce the features of each series!
By the way, there is no saying that because these cables are for guitar, they can't be used for bass! You can try to find a cable that seems to be suitable for the sound you are looking for! This is a long article, so I'll break it down into two parts: a general description of the cables and recommendations for those who are interested in this type of cable! For more details, please take a look at the manufacturer's page!
First, please refer to the following graph presented by the manufacturer. I think you can get an idea.
*LE501 is not included.

① LE501: High sound quality and low noise, good for line recording

PROVIDENCE / LE501

Features and Impressions

The LE501 is Providence's so-called cost-efficient model. Although it is much cheaper than the cables I will introduce later, its performance far exceeds its price. The cable diameter is 6.5mm, a common thickness for easy handling, and it uses a genuine Providence plug and [NVW2 OFC conductor] for the cable. According to the manufacturer, it is highly resistant to noise and is recommended for LIVE as well as home recording and uploading online! This model is especially recommended for beginners to intermediate guitarists who are buying a single guitar cable for the first time, and not a set of guitar cables!

Recommended for the following situations!

• For LIVE and music production line cables.
• For easy cables for practice.
• First time buyers.

Detail of the manufacturer's product page

② S101 “Studiowizard” Super Wide Range & Clear

PROVIDENCE / S101

Features & Impressions

As the name “Super Wide Range” suggests, the sound reproduces clearly from low tones to ultra-high tones. It is not a cable that says, “Here is a good point for guitars, so boost/cut here!” I felt that this cable faithfully reproduces the original sound of guitars and effects pedals without losing the original sound. It seems to be recommended for long cable runs!

Recommended for situations like this!

• Recording in a studio
• Outdoor live performance/large live house, etc.
• Heavy use of effects pedals

Manufacturer's Product Page Details

③ Z102 “Livewizard”-Grainy & Wide Range

PROVIDENCE / Z102

Features and Impressions

As I stated before, this one has a wide range, with a well-balanced sound from bass to treble. According to the manufacturer's page, it works well with tube amps and distortion effects pedals. I connected a Strat to the RAT, and I felt that it produced a pleasant distortion sound with a nice zing without too much grain. It is worth trying the compatibility with other distortion effects pedals and pickups. The center of gravity seems to be a little higher, perhaps due to the high treble reproduction capability, but I think it also brings the sound more to the forefront. Personally, this was my favorite cable.

Recommended for the following situations!

• Recording in a studio
• Live houses
• Lead guitarists and Marshall enthusiasts

Manufacturer's Product Page Details

④ F201 “Fatman” Emphasizes mid-low tones with a focus on Mid-Low

PROVIDENCE / F201

Features and Comments

This cable has tone correction (coverage) from Low to Mid. The first time I used this cable, I was surprised at how thick my guitar sounded. I might have used a Z102 before this cable. If you boost low or mid with an amp or effects pedal, it tends to sound saturated(?) and muddy. However, by using this cable, the low frequency range of the guitar itself is not degraded, and a “cohesive sound without spreading out” is produced. Although it gives the impression of cutting off some of the treble range, the sound is good. As it’s described on the manufacturer's page, this is the flagship model of Providence, which is known for its FAT sound. In addition to smooth playability, the midrange sound is upgraded.

Recommended for the following situations!

• Recording in a studio
• Live houses
• Lead guitarists and Marshall enthusiasts

Manufacturer's Product Page Details

⑤ B202 “Bottomfreq'er” for 4-6 string basses and down tuning

PROVIDENCE / B202

Features and Impressions

This cable also has a distinctive low to mid range, similar to the F201, with the difference that the B202 is a dedicated bass cable,it seems to be the best solution for both the bassist and the guitarist in the ensemble, leading to a good sound with a good punch. The time may soon come when the following can be said, “The bassist is the B202 and the guitarist is the Providence with other tastes.”

Recommended for all of these situations!

• All Situations for Bassists
• Acoustic Guitar Player

Manufacturer's Product Page Details

⑥ E205 “59ers” Mid-Hi with emphasis on midrange

PROVIDENCE / E205

Features and Comments

Here you go, vintage guitar freaks: the E205 is a cable that brings out the best of a guitar's deadness and the sweet tones characteristic of vintage guitars. The aforementioned is abstract, but this cable naturally emphasizes Hi-Mid and focuses on picking nuance and rise.
Unlike the model that highlights Low by drawing out the guitar's output and performance in a straightforward manner, it can be said to be a high-grade cable that tests the player's skills. It is likely to show its true value especially in delicate genres such as jazz and neo-soul. This cable is much more suitable for professional players than the previous models.

Recommended for situations such as

• Studios and live music clubs
• Vintage Guitar Enthusiasts
• Jazz / Blues / Neo Soul

Manufacturer's Product Page Details

⑦ H207 “Heartbreaker” flat and natural sound

PROVIDENCE / H207

Features and Impressions

The H207 is a longer version of Providence's top-of-the-line purple patch cable, the P203, which is basically the same material and construction as the H207. If you are already using P203, using the H207 will help you to have a consistent sound image inside and outside of the board, and it will also make it easier for you to understand the sound image. As the manufacturer's introduction says, “This cable transmits signals without unnecessary coloration and is suitable for all styles of music without any peculiarities. As stated in the manufacturer's introduction, the cable has flat sound characteristics and has been arranged to produce a little more bass than the P203.

The reason why we say “almost as is” in the above description is because the color of the cable sheath (black/purple) is actually different. I have also heard that the different cable colors affect the electrical characteristics and sound.... As a cable designer, I find this extremely interesting, but I will write about this story at another time!

For those who don't know, the P203 is a patch cable like this, and it’s also available at Sound House!

Recommended for situations such as:

• Studios and live houses
• DTM / DAW
• Players using the P203

Manufacturer's Product Page Details

3. after this introduction

Recently, high-end cables such as OYAIDE and Sommer have been getting a lot of attention on YouTube, and I have been following this trend. Of course, those cables are also the best, but once again, when I played Providence, which was also the first cable I bought, I have to take my hat off to its many variations along with players and its high degree of perfection as a guitar/bass cable.
I am glad that I was able to introduce the features of Providence this time with my playing impressions with an introduction to the manufacturer. I hope you will all take cables that interest you in your hands.

Although they only play the role of connecting instruments and amplifiers, they are the most important element in terms of mastering the sound. We wish you the best of luck with the Providence Cable, which will unleash your guitar sound and add color to your stage.